Are Devils going down same dangerous road with top free agents?

Patrik Elias would like to have discussed a contract extension with the Devils by now.

(Tony Kurdzuk/The Star-Ledger)

Under the current NHL formula, the Devils are in the midst of their first seven-game losing streak in 27 years since they went 0-7 between Jan. 24 and Feb. 8 back in 1986.

Comparisons to that last skid, however, may be deceptive. Since March 25 they are 0-3-4, having lost three of those games in regulation time, three in shootouts and one in overtime. They've played well in most of the losses and have picked up four points to stay in the playoff race.

But while that comparison may be a stretch, another is not.

Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello rolled the dice last year by choosing not to talk to Zach Parise during the season about a contract extension and allowing the former captain to reach unrestricted free agency. Now, he seems to be heading down the same path with franchise scoring leader Patrik Elias and right winger David Clarkson, not to mention forward Dainius Zubrus.

Lamoriello has an unwritten policy of not talking contract extension with players or their agents during the course of a season, but he has made exceptions, most notably goalie Martin Brodeur. But there have been no such discussions with Elias or Clarkson and that is a bit surprising.

"Who wouldn't want to talk about it during the season?" Elias asked. "Then you would see they have interest. And, if you like the offer, why wouldn't you sign? But that never came up here.

"If it had happened it would've been great, but it didn't happen. It's getting kind of late now."

While Elias would prefer to finish his career with the Devils, he hints he will test the market in July.

"It comes pretty quickly right after the season," Elias said about the start of free agency.

Clarkson might be wise to see what he can get from other teams, such as his hometown Toronto Maple Leafs. But he wouldn't go so far as to say he intends to get to unrestricted free agency.

"I'm not thinking about July," Clarkson insisted. "I'm here to hope we can do something like we did last year."

Some GMs, as well as some players, believe contract negotiations during the season can be a distraction. Elias disputes that idea.

"It's also a distraction and there is also pressure on you to play well because you know free agency is coming up," Elias pointed out. "So that's pressure for some guys. It depends on how you handle it."

Lamoriello was never going to trade Elias or Clarkson as long as the Devils were in playoff contention. His policy has always been to keep a player if he can help win games, and then take the risk of losing that player after the season without getting anything in return.

"Yes, that's the way he is and the way he approaches it," Elias said. "If (the Devils had wanted to open talks during the season) I would've dealt with it. It's the business part of the game. Of course, I don't know what my decision would've been."